Sheet-metal door



A. S. BARROWS.

SHEET METAL DOOR. 7 APPLICATION FILED MAR. 28, I9I9.

1,342,400.. Patented June 1, 1920. 3 SHEETSSHEET l v r Z Z6 IN VEN TOR.

flllaw 5. Barmws A. S. BARROWS.

SHEET METAL DOOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 28, 1919.

Patented June 1, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

.- z Ill mm! m o |1|m OEZJMQ @Wfll E; MWIQLE IN VEN TOR. flllwz 5 Ba rmws ATTORNEY i UNITED STATES" PATE T omen ALLAN s. BARRQWS, or cnrcaco, ILLINOIS. 1

SHEET-METAL noon.

To all 'wkom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALLAN S. BARRows,

a citizen of the United States, residing 'at Chicago, in they countyof Cook. and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Sheet-Metal Doors, of which the following is a full, clear, con- .ci'se, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part ofthis specification.

This invention relates to improvements in sheet metal doors.

In railway practice, much difficulty has been experienced heretofore in connection with the side doors of box cars. The orig1-' nal form was, of course, the wood door which has proven entirelyunsatisfactory for present day conditions because'of its excessive weight, inflammability, liability to distortion and sagging, and liability to. splintering and multilation. As is ,well known,

, many attem ts have been made by inventors and railroa s to produce a satisfactory all-' metal door to replace the wood doors,'the, all-metal doors being intended for either wood box cars, combination wood and metal cars or all-metal cars. The attempts heretofore made to produce an all-metalldoor have divided themselves generally into two classes-,-one rclass' comprising structures wherein a door frame is made from commercial or other suitable beams 'and sheet metal strips applied thereto, and the other,

the doors formed of sheet metal of consider-- able inherent strength and reinforced at different points by angle irons or Z bars or the like applied thereto or riveted thereon.-

With both types of metal doors above indicated, the weight is excessive, thus representing an unnecessary initial cost and also 'm'ilitating against the efficient operation of for box cars are required to undergo unusually severe strains, the doors being frequently pried open with claw bars and Specification of Letters Patent. I

.tion illustrated in Fig. 5.

v Patented June 1, 1920. Application filed-March 28,1919. Serial No. 285,851. I

closed in a similar manner; the doors .are

frequently left loo'se' while the year is, in

transitthus causing the doors to be shunted. with great force against the stops or door frame; the car body weaves while traveling along the track, thus tending to distort the side walls of the car and the doors carried railway cars, which door is of maximum strength per unit of weight; is strengthened with a minimum amount of metal in those points particularly subject to strains and in such manner as to most efiectively resist the particular strains imposed upon the door at the particular point; to provide a' door of the character described which is free f omthe usual reinforcing angle irons, Z- ars,

etc., and consequently of minimum weight;

and to provide a door embodying the foregoing characteristics which may be manufactured at comparatively small expense.

The invention furthermore consists in the improvements in the parts and devices herein shown, described and made the subject matter of claim.

In the drawing forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is an elevational'view of a sheet metal door embodyingmy improvements, the door being such as would be adapted for the side door of a box car.

Figs. 2 and 3 are sectional views of the door shown in Fig. 1 and taken on the lines 22 and 3-3 thereof respectively. -Fig. 4 is adetail perspective of one of the reinforcing strips employed in the door shown in Fig. -1.' Fig. 5 isa view similar to Fig. 1 illustrating a somewhat different embodiment of the invention, parts of the door being broken away to better accommodate the view on the sheet. Fig. 6 is a detailed,

sectional View taken substantially on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5. Fig. 7' is a detailed perspective of one of the reinforcing strips such as may be employed with the construc- Fig. -8 is a view similar to Fig. 6 .but illustrating a someciated from an inspection 0 what different embodiment of the invention. -Figs. 9, 10 and 11 are views similar to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, respectively, illustrating of the invention.

a still further embodlment Referring first to the construction illustrated in-Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive,

the door with the main or body portion thereof formed of three sheet metal panels or plates A, B and C. 4 The panels A, B and C have their adjacent horizontal edges overlapped as indicated at 20 and rigidly secured together either by spot-welding "or by rivets as indicated at 21. The three panels when assembled as shown, form a rectangular door having of course vertical side edges and top and bottom edges. In order to give the door the requisite strength, I- corrugations 22, 23,24 and 25 and additional corrugations 26. The edge corrugations 22 and 23 extend or follow along the vertical edges of 'the door-and are located relatively close thereto. In the instance shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, said corrugations 22 and 23 parallel the edges of thedoor. Said corrugations 22 and 23 are extended from the main plane of the door to one side thereof,'preferably thejouter side of the door as the door w'ou be viewed when in place on a-car. Said'corrugations 22 and 23 are made moderately deep so as toflp'resent' the necessary rigidity against buckling or bending under forces applied perpendicular to the plane of the door. V

The horizontal corrugations 26 are shown as extending continuously between thevertical corrugations 22 and 23 and merging with the latter as indicated at 27-27. The horizontal corrugations also provide great strength against lateral bending or buckling of the door, and'in addition where the same merge or rugations 22 and 23, the latter are greatly strengthened against crushing under blows applied horizontally and in planes-parallel to'the plane of the door, as will be appre- Fig. 3. 7

Outside of the area defined by the edge corrugations 22, 23, 24 and 25, the door is left with preferably relatively narrow fiat marginal. portions indicated at 28, 29, 30

strip 32, which is and 31, respectively.

. Inasmuch as these marginal edge portlons .are

Sub e-cted to forces which would ordinarily indent or distort this metal,-=as in opening or closing of the door with a claw bar, I provide the necessary strength by means of'reinforcing sheet metal strips 32, 33, 34 and 35. The

on the door as viewed in Figs. 1 and 3, has its edge portion doubled over the main panel sheets of the door as indicated at 36 so that,

' ineifect, a three-plyedge is obtained well adapted to resist indentation or crushin Said str1p 32 is bridged over the correspond- I have shown applied similar to employ what I may term edge ld tion 25 as indicated at 43 and is coalesce with the edge corthe right hand edge of.

clearly in Fig. 3, and along its inner portion said strip 32 is provided with scallops as in- .dicated at 37-37 in Figs. 3 and 4. The scallops 37 are so spaced that they coincide with the horizontal corrugations 26' and are pressed down into .the, latter. The strip 32 is preferably riveted to the main panel sheets of the door at intervals along the extreme marginal portion as indicated at 38 and also within the edge corrugation 22 between. the horizontal corrugations as indi-' cated at 39.

The opposed edge reinforcing strip 33 is the strip 32 except that instead .of being doubled over the main sheets of the door,.the' latter and the strip 33 are together bent rearwardly as indicated at 40 and welded or riveted to thereby form a seal on that edge of the door. In the case of the upper re-inforcing strip 34, it is folded about the upper edge of the panel A as indicated at 41 and tion of the panel A within the corrugation 24 as indicated at' 42. The lower reinforced strip 35'bridges the corrugation 25 and is riveted to the pannel C within the corrugabent at right angles to the main plane of the door in conjunction with the lower edge of the panel C as indicated at 44 to form another-seal at'the bottom of the door. The strip shown in Fig. 4 is that referenced 33 in Fig. 3 but as will be understood, the corresponding strip 32 is similarly scalloped whereas the upper and lower reinforcing strips 34 and 35 are not scalloped.

At the upper shown plates 45-45 adapted to form suitable seats for roller hanger brackets for the door as will be understood. In dotted lines as indicated at 46, I have indicated how bosses may be pressed into the metal to form suitable seats for receiving different types of roller-carrying brackets: where the same cannotbe applied on the flat corners In the lower corners of or may be used coras above indicated. the door, plates'47 are responding to those shown in corners and in this connection it will of course be understood that where the reinforcing strips 32, 33, 34 and 35 meet at the corners of the door, matched and preferably the plates 45 and 47 will bridge (on the opposite sides of the panels A and reinforcing strips to thereby secure a better union of the parts.

Of particular importance in my improved door is the construction of the so-called edge corrugations in combination with the reinforcing strips which bridge said corrugations and arerigidly united to the main portions of the door sheets on opposite sides of said corrugations. With this arrange- G) the meeting edges of said' riveted to the main por- I preferably corners of the door are 7 the upper 4 they will be suitably termed a tube which while made of corparatively light sheet metal is exceedingly strong against any of the forces which may be imposed thereon in any direction. This bracing of the edge corrugations and theadditional backing orbracing afforded the corrugations 22 and 23'by the horizontal corrugations 26 renders the edges of the door extremely strong,- well able to resist indentation, lateral pressure, buckling, sagging, weaving or distortion. It is also evi- H dent that the parts are such as may be readily manufactured as mostly die pressings and in actual practice I have found that 'doors'made in accordance with my invention can be built from'sheet metal of 3/32nds or 7 /64ths thickness and successfully withstand the severe usage of railway service and furthermore that doors so manufactured are many pounds lighter than either all-wood or the former type of beam reinforced sheet metal door of either type herein'before referred to.

Referring to the construction illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, I have'shown the doorin this instance formed of only twopanels l and E. Edge corrugations are employed as in the doors shown in Fig.1, that is, edge corrugations 122, 123, 124 and 125, and horizontal corrugations 126 merging with the side edge corrugations 122 and-123. In'addition, I employ a central, vertical corrugation 48 traversing or coalescing with the horizontal corrugations 126. This affords a somewhat greater strength against bucklingor bending at thecentral areas ofthe door-as will be. understood"; The'edge corrugations are reinforced by means of-- reinforcing strips corresponding to those referenced 32, 33, 34 and 35 in the construction illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, and need not be here described.

In the-construction shown in Figs. 5. and 6, however, I preferably employ an insert bridging reinforcing strip indicated at 49 in.

said figures, there being one of such insert strips 49 in eachof the edge corrugations 122 and 123 where the panels D and E are overlapped and united. Such strips 49 are located within the corresponding corrugation so as to be clear of the top cover reinforcing strip .133 and the insert strips 49 are riveted to the panel sheets as indicated at 5050. The insert strips 49 may .be'extended any desired length beyond the joint of the panels and will effectively strengthen the door at this point,- as will be apparent.

In the construction shown in Figs. 5 and 6, instead of employing scalloped reinforcing strips such as 33 shown in Fig. 4, I employ corrugated strips as indicated at 133 in Figs. 6 and 7. In this construction, the-strip is provided with a series of'true corrugations 51 along its inner edge adapted to fit within gation 223 of the main part of the door.

reinforcing the corrugation 223 against colthe horizontal corrugations 126 and the edge is left in a single plane as indicated at 52in Fig. '6. A strip such as shown at 133 possesses certain advantages from a manufac- Fig. 4 and also gives greater strength in the bracing of the edge corrugations since a better backing is afforded by the shallow corrugations 51 than by the tongues 37.

In Fig. 8 I have shown a modification of the reinforcing strip referenced 233, in this instance having formed itwith'a' longitudinally extending corrugation 53 adapted to be fitted into the corresponding edge corru- These two parts may be riveted. within the i 1 corrugations 53 and 223 and in this instance the strip 233 performs the function of the insert strip .49 shown in Figs '6, as well as lapse although not quite as effectively as in the construction shown in Figs. '3 and 6.

' Referring to the construction illustrated in Figs. 9, 10 and '11, I have shown the door as preferably formed of two. panels F'and G. In'this instance, instead of extending the edge corrugations parallel to-the edges of the door, the edge corrugations, which I have designated 322 and 322?; 323 and 323*;- I 324 and 324s; and 325 and 325 follow or extend along the respective edges of the door at an angle thereto as clearly indicated in 1 I Fig. 9. Said edge corrugations, of course,

remain suificiently adjacent to the extreme edges of the doors to perform their necessary function but are preferably inclined.

.slightly' away from the edge of thedoor 1 tions previously described. In thearrangement shown in Figs. 9, 10 and'll, horizontalcorrugations may be employed within the area defined by the said edge corrugations 1 and relatively short horizontal corrugations may be employed outside of the side edge corrugations 322, 322' and 323 and 323*, respectively, as indicated at 326*. Thearrangement of edge corrugations 322, etc., shown in Fig. 9 presents a slight advantage in that it affords a slightly greater resistance against sagging'or' distortion in the outline of the door. However, in yiew of greater economy in the manufacture, I pre fer the construction illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. p V

Although I have herein shown and described what I now considei' the preferred plate gations and forming manner of carrying out the invention, the same is merely illustrative and I contemall changes and modifications that come within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim L 1. A door having the main portion thereunited to the main portion of the door .in-'

. side of the corrugation, whereby said corrumarginal edges of the door being composed tions 5' ing corrugatlons gations are braced against collapse. 4

2. A door composed of a plurality of sheet metal panels and reinforcing strips, the panels being united to form the main portion of the door :and having corrugatherein following along edges thereof, said reinforcing strips being each extended from one side to the other side of one of said corrugations and rigidly united to the main panel sheets on opposite sides of the corrugation to thereby brace the latter, the

of multiple-plies of sheet metal to thereby resist indentation. r

' 3. A substantially rectangular door having the mainportion thereof composed of a plurality following along the two sides thereof, said panels being provided also with corrugations extending substantially transverse to the first named corru-I gations and merging with the latter to brace the same, and reinforcing strips applied to the marginal portions of the door to thereby fornimulti-ply edges, said reinforcing strips extending the full length of and out to the periphery of the respective edges.

4. A substantially rectangular door having themain portion thereof composed of a plurality of sheet metal panels having adjacent edges united, said door having corrugations following along the two sides thereof, said panels; being provided also with corrugations extending substantially transverse to the first named corrugations and merging with the latter "to brace the same, the marginalportions of the door to thereby' form multi-ply -edges, said reinforcing strips being extended beyond the first named corrugations and having portions pressed into said transverse corrugations,

door forming tions to reslst'lndentation.

- lapped joint, said posed of ing strip secured to ofsheet metal panels having. their adjacent edges united, said door havtheir ing door composed and reinforcing strips applied to tively narrow,

main panel sheets on opposite sides of the o first named corrugations.

5. A door having the main portion thereof composed of a plurality of sheet metal panels having the door being of substantially rectangular formation and provided with a corrugation extending along and relatively adjacent t6 each of the four edges thereof, the panels being provided with within the area defined by said corrugations, a reinforcing strip along each edge of the door, each strip being united to the main portion'of the door on opposite sides of itscorresponding corrugation brace the latter against collapse, said strlps in conjunction with the main portion, of the multi-ply marginal edge sec- 6. A door of the character described composed of a plurality ofsheet .metal panels having adjacent edges overlapped and united throughout thelength of the overpanels having corrugato thereby their adjacent edges united,

tions therein extending transversely of the overlapped joint and disposed relatively adjacent the edges of'the door, strips inserted within said corrugations andbridging the panel joints, the door having multiply marginal edge portions. 7. A door-of the character described comhaving adjacent edges united and forming a door of substantially rectangular for-. mation, said door having a corrugation following along each edge thereof, a reinforc-' the main portion of the door along each edge thereof, additional corrugations extending between and merging with the side edge corrugations of the door, said strips being extended over the respective adjacent edge corrugations and united to the main portions of the door on both sides of the respective edge corrugation, said strips in conjunction with the main panel sheets of the doorforming multi-ply edges, the reinforcing strips ap.- plied to the side edges .of the door having their "inner portions indented. within the transverse corrugations, said reinforcing strips preventing material from entering the respective edge corrugations.

8. 'As an article of manufacture, a slid-v of sheetmetal and provided with edge corrugations therein lo cated relatively close to the edges, said corrugat'ion's paralleling respective adjacent .edges, the sheet metal being provided also with additional strengthening indentations within the boundaries \of said edge corrugations, said door being formed with'relaflat marginal portions outside of said edge corrugations, each of said marginal portions being formed of the sheet a plurality of sheet metal panels metal of the main part of the door and an strengthen the door against strains, one ply of each of said marginal portions being extended over the corresponding adjacent edge corrugation and secured to the main por= edge corrugations. 4

9. As an article of manufacture, a door having side edges, said door being composed of sheet metal and provided with outwardlyhollow edge corrugations disextending, posed adjacent to and paralleling said side edges of the door, the door. being provided also with additional outwardly extending integral strengthening depressions within the boundaries of the edge corrugations, said door having relatively narrow marginal portions disposed outside of said edge corrugations, some of said-marginal portions comprising three plies of sheet metal composed of the sheet metal forming the main part of the door and an extra reinforcing strip united by doubling the edge of one over the edge of the other, one of said plies of metal, along'one side edge and on the inner side of the door, being extended over and beyond the corresponding adjacent edge corrugation and secured to the main tions portion of the door within theboundary of the corresponding edge corrugation to thereby brace and cover the latter and pre- I vent articles on the inner side of the door the door is in closed position.

10. As an article of manufacture, a door of substantially rectangular form and adapted for use as a box car door, said door being composed of sheet metal and provided with edge corrugations therein -located relatively close to eachedge and paralleling the latter, the sheet metal of said door being provided also with additional corrugations within the area defined by said edge corrugations, said additional corruga including horizontal. corrugations merging at their ends with the vertical edge corrugations of the door,- the door being formed with relatively narrow marginal portions outside of said edge corrugations,

each of said marginal portions being com- I posed of a multiple of plies of sheet metal including the sheet metal forming the main part of the door and an additional'reinforcing strip rigidly united, one of said plies of sheet metal along each vertical side of-the door being extended over the corresponding adjacent vertical edge corrugation and depressed into said horizontal corrugations that merge with the vertical side edge corrugations, said extended plies covering the metal, said door having fiat marginal portions composed of a multiple of plies of tion of the door within the boundary of the secured to the sheet metal comprising the main-part of the door at points insidefof said ends of the indentations, whereby said indentations are braced against collapse and the multiple-ply marginal portions adapted to resist indentation. 12'. A substantially rectangular door having the main portion thereof composed of sheet metal, said door having corrugations following along the two sides thereof, said main portion of the door being provided with corrugations extending substantially transverse to the first named corrugationsand merging with the latter tobrace the same, and reinforcing strips applied'to the marginal portions of the door to thereby form multiple-ply edges, said reinforcing strips extending the full length of and outto the peripheries of the respectiveedges.

13. A substantially rectangular door-havingthe main portion thereof composed of sheet metal, said 'door having corrugations following along the twosides thereof, said I main portion of the doorbeing also provided with a plurality of corrugations located within the-area between said first named corrugations and extending at an angle to the latter and merging therewith at a plurality of spaced points intermediate the top andbottom ends of saidfirst named corrugations, and reinforcing strips applied to the marginal portions of the door to thereby form multiple-ply edges, said reinforcing strips extending the full length of and out to the peripheries of the respective edges.

In-witness that I claim the foregoing have hereunto subscribed my name this 12th day of Mar.,'1$ )19.

ALIlAN .s. BARRoWs. 

